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Field Operations Directorate (FOD)

Operational Circulars (OCs)

OCs are arranged according to a topic classification system.

Industry/health & safety topic-specific

The headings are arranged in alphabetical order:

Agriculture

[380-400]

Class Definition Format Cost
OC 380/1 COSHH Regs 1988 - Forced air filtration units for agricultural vehicles [11kb]PDF Free
OC 380/3 Forestry Commission contractors [19kb]PDF Free
OC 380/4 Liaison with Medicines Act Inspectors - Medicated animal feeding stuffs [9kb]PDF Free
OC 380/5 Railway level crossings on farms [23kb]PDF Free
OC 384/1 The Agriculture (Tractor Cabs) (Amendment) Regulation 1990 [8kb]PDF Free
OC 390/1 Visits by HSE staff to poultry farms [8kb]PDF Free
OC 390/2 Sheep dipping [18kb]PDF Free
OC 394/1 Suspected adverse reactions surveillance scheme [38kb]PDF Free
OC 396/1 Inspection and approval of agrochemical stores by river and fire authorities for the British Agrochemical Standards Inspection Scheme (BASIS) requirements [10kb]PDF Free
OC 400/8 The control of pollution (silage, slurry and agricultural fuel oil) regulations 1991 [20kb]PDF Free
OC 400/9 Maggot-Bait-Breeding Establishments – Health Problems [90kb]PDF Free
OC 400/10 Nitrogen Dioxide at silage clamps [18kb]PDF Free
OC 400/11 Preventing the spread of animal and plant diseases and pests [13kb]PDF Free
OC 400/12 Toilet and washing facilities in agriculture [28kb]PDF Free

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Building and civil engineering

[401-423]

Class Definition Format Cost
OC 401/3 The enforcement of fire safety standards during construction work [138kb]PDF Free
OC 401/4 Enforcement of general fire precautions at temporary accommodation units on construction sites [21kb]PDF Free
OC 404/20 The construction (head protection) regulations 1989 [29kb]PDF Free
OC 404/21 Structural safety: Action by inspectors including liaison with local authorities [39kb]PDF Free
OC 404/22 Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989: Exemptions [21kb]PDF Free
OC 404/23 General fire precautions at temporary accommodation units on construction sites [155kb]PDF Free
OC 406/5 Safe lifting of scaffolding tubes using fibre ropes [30kb]PDF Free
OC 407/7 New certificate of approval for automatic safe load indicators [11kb]PDF Free
OC 408/4 Transport platforms [85kb]PDF Free
OC 415/9 The Boreholes Sites and Operations Regulations 1995 [33kb]PDF Free
OC 417/5 Non-fragile rooflights used by Condor Group Technical [11kb]PDF Free
OC 420/6 Work in Compressed Air Regulations 1996 [13kb]PDF Free
       

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Chemical and allied trades

[430-462]

Class Definition Format Cost
OC 431/13 Chemical reactor safety - Test methods for exothermicity [32kb]PDF Free
OC 431/15 Exothermic reactions [24kb]PDF Free
OC 431/17 Power loss/surge (PLS) at chemical companies [15kb]PDF Free
OC 433/4 (2 part) Control of exposure to fume at coke ovens: Advice to employers [84kb]PDF Free
OC 438/4 Medium pressure ductile iron gas pipes not owned by Transco [45kb]PDF Free
OC 440/28v2 The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1996 and the Pipelines Safety Regulations 1996 [35kb]PDF Free
OC 440/29v2 The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998: SI 1998 No.2451 [39kb]PDF Free
OC 440/30 Gas safety procedure and enforcement advice [74kb]PDF Free
OC 440/31 Enforcement of gas safety at rented residential accommodation [45kb]PDF Free
OC 440/33 Milestones in Gas Safety Legislatio [30kb]PDF Free
OC 440/34 Gas safety in touring caravans, motor-caravans, caravan holiday-homes and residential park-homes [132kb]PDF Free
OC 440/35 Gas safety - alerting members of the public to installer incompetence [30kb]PDF Free
OC 440/36 Investigation of riddor 6(1) domestic gas incidents [187kb]PDF Free
OC 440/37 Dangerous gas fittings (gas industry unsafe situations procedure) [119kb]PDF Free
OC 447/3 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988 - Health surveillance for the spraying of Isocyanates paints in the motor vehicle refinishing [16kb]PDF Free
OC 447/4 Guides on cost-effective paint and powder coating: Environmental Technology Best Practice Programme (ETBPP) [15kb]PDF Free
OC 449/6 Oil IAC Guidance on Permit-To-Work Systems [12kb]PDF Free
OC 449/7 Prevention or creation of liquid slugs in flarelines [16kb]PDF Free
       

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Clothing

[471-475]

Class Definition Format Cost
OC 474/4 Handling and making up of fabrics treated with fire resistant, crease resistant and other finishes - Health problems in the clothing and upholstery industries [20kb]PDF Free
       

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Electricity

[480-507]

Class Definition Format Cost
OC 480/2 Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 [56kb]PDF Free
OC 480/3 Training courses for electrical craftsmen and technicians City and Guild of London Institute [17kb]PDF Free
OC 482/2 Electrical safety of independent low-voltage AC portable & mobile generators and connected systems [25kb]PDF Free
OC 482/5 (Ver 2) Administrative arrangements between HSE and the engineering inspectorate of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) [24kb]PDF Free
OC 482/7 Control of health and safety risks from small gas turbines used for power generation [56kb]PDF Free
OC 483/5 Dorman Smith Britmac 13 amp fuse units [8kb]PDF Free
OC 483/7 Test Leads - Philips Multimeters [8kb]PDF Free
OC 483/8 GEC Type AAK 11KV Switchgear [8kb]PDF Free
OC 483/9 The Electro-Medical Equipment (EEC Requirements) Regulations 1988 [9kb]PDF Free
OC 483/11 Uncovenanted starting of plant due to control system cross-connections [17kb]PDF Free
OC 483/14 Electrical protection for mainframe computers [10kb]PDF Free
OC 483/15 Electricity suppliers - Use of non-standard cut-out enclosures [10kb]PDF Free
OC 483/16 Electrical isolation of large smoke extraction systems [9kb]PDF Free
OC 483/18 Crompton Parkinson TF 15 AM 11 KV oil circuit-breaker failure [12kb]PDF Free
OC 483/19 BS 5036: Part 2: 1990 [8kb]PDF Free
OC 483/20 GEC-Alsthom Installation Equipment Ltd [8kb]PDF Free
OC 483/21 Yorkshire Switchgear SO-HI Equipment [9kb]PDF Free
OC 483/22 Low voltage switchgear and controlgear - BS EN standards [8kb]PDF Free
OC 483/23 Merlin Gerin type DA 415V switchgear [35kb]PDF Free
OC 483/25 Long and Crawford circuit breakers [37kb]PDF Free
OC 483/26 Square D 11 KV switchgear type VAD 3 [9kb]PDF Free
OC 483/27 Oil-filled electrical distribution and other switchgear [49kb]PDF Free
OC 489/5 Unsafe electrical extension cable reels [47kb]PDF Free
OC 489/6 The Plugs and Sockets Etc (Safety) Regulation 1994 [18kb]PDF Free
OC 491/1 Ellison land-bar Bushbar systems [9kb]PDF Free
OC 492/2 The drawing into ventilated electrical tools of conductive dusts [14kb]PDF Free
OC 494/3 Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) and second hand spare parts [8kb]PDF Free
OC 494/5 Sulphur hexaflouride in electrical equipment [19kb]PDF Free
OC 494/6 Polychlorinated biphenyls - sampling [14kb]PDF Free
OC 495/4 (rev) Electrostatic powder coating: British Coatings Federation: code of practice [17kb]PDF Free
OC 495/5 Electrostatic hand-held spraying equipment for non flammable material for painting and finishing [20kb]PDF Free
OC 497/1 Electromagnetic fields and radiation [77kb]PDF Free
OC 497/2 Mobile phones and health: guidance from the Department of Health [26kb]PDF Free
OC 498/14 Flame-proof right-angled adaptors manufactured by Redapt Engineering Company Ltd [16kb]PDF Free
OC 501/11 (rev) Electrical safety at lasers, magnetrons, accelerators, radio frequency equipment and the like [98kb]PDF Free
OC 506/1 The effect of electromagnetic interference on electronic proximity devices used in guarding applications [78kb]PDF Free
       

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Food and drink

[520-555]

Class Definition Format Cost
OC 520/15 Oil mist explosion in frying plant [91kb]PDF Free
OC 520/16 Catering safety - food preparation machinery HSE booklet (HS (G) 35) [74kb]PDF Free
OC 520/17 Industry guidance on the use of pallets and racking systems in temperature-controlled warehouses [122kb]PDF Free
OC 520/18 Food safety legislation [111kb]PDF Free
OC 520/19 Internal thermocladding building panels used in the food industry - launch of industry guide on management and control of fire risks [95kb]PDF Free
OC 520/20 Teapackers Association CoP on the issue of potential respiratory sensitisation and occupational asthma [72kb]PDF Free
OC 520/21 Guidance on achieving reasonable working temperatures and conditions during production of chilled foods [17kb]PDF Free
OC 520/22 The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992: enforcement of hygienic design: Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Health and HSE [39kb]PDF Free
OC 523/1 Flour dust in bakeries, airborne levels and ill health [80kb]PDF Free
OC 523/3 Dust control in bakeries [88kb]PDF Free
OC 523/4 Health and safety in bakeries - Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 [12kb]PDF Free
OC 523/5 flour dust in bakeries: new guidance and video training package [15kb]PDF Free
OC 523/6 Alleged restrictions on entry into food handling premises [17kb]PDF Free
OC 524/8 supp 1 The Federation of Bakers Safety Memoranda [18kb]PDF Free
OC 524/9 Publication of BS EN 60335-2-59 1995: safety of household and similar electrical appliances: insect killers [75kb]PDF Free
OC 525/2 Manual handling in beer delivery [16kb]PDF Free
OC 527/1 Failure of a rectangular sectional cast iron tank [80kb]PDF Free
OC 527/2 (rev) The bulk storage and handling of medium and high strength potable alcohol [108kb]PDF Free
OC 535/2 Banana Ripening Rooms - Fire & explosion hazards in the use of Ethylene Gas [26kb]PDF Free
OC 536/2 Fires and explosions in Animal Feed Mills [97kb]PDF Free
OC 536/3 COSHH Regs 1988 - Guidance for the Animal Feed Industry and Supplement on Mel for grain dust [77kb]PDF Free
OC 536/4 Animal feed mill - published guidance on health and safety [25kb]PDF Free
OC 537/3 Flour Mills: Health & Safety Publications [87kb]PDF Free
OC 537/4 The flour milling industry's approach to operations at unfenced machinery and The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1992 [79kb]PDF Free
OC 537/5 Access onto the tops of road tankers in the flour milling industry [89kb]PDF Free
OC 543/1 Zoonoses and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy - Guidance for the Knackering (including at hunt kennels and maggot farms) and rendering industries [88kb]PDF Free
OC 543/2 Safety in the meat industry [92kb]PDF Free
OC 543/3 Upper limb disorders in poultry processing [78kb]PDF Free
OC 543/4 Health and safety training in the meat industry [11kb]PDF Free
OC 549/3 Milk delivery: Riding on the back of vehicles [20kb]PDF Free
OC 553/1 Poultry stunners - BS 7314: 1990 Specification for electric stunners for poultry [60kb]PDF Free

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Non-ionising radiations

[559]

Class Definition Format Cost
OC 559/7 Ignition hazards due to radio frequency sources: computer assessment of risk [77kb]PDF Free
OC 559/8 Guidelines for magnetic resonance diagnostic equipment in clinical use [75kb]PDF Free
OC 559/9 Ultra-violet radiation exposure from general workplace light sources HTML Free

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Ionising radiations

[560-564]

Class Definition Format Cost
OC 560/26 Fitness for work with ionising radiations: experience from the medical review panel [92kb]PDF Free
OC 560/27 Council Regulation (Euratom) No.1493/93 - On Shipments of Radioactive Substances Between Member States [203kb]PDF Free
OC 560/28 The IRR Regs 1985: Occupational exposure to Low Specific Activity (LSA) Materials [19kb]PDF Free
OC 560/31 Ionising Radiation Regulations 1985: Radioactively contaminated land [89kb]PDF Free
OC 560/35 Ionising Radiation Incident Database [108kb]PDF Free
OC 560/36 Occupational exposure to ionising radiation: Central Index of Dose Information [18kb]PDF Free
OC 560/43 Handling applications for special entriesin dose records (Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 reg.22) [97kb]PDF Free
OC 560/47 Prior authorisation of specified practices under the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 HTML Free
OC 560/49 The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 Industrial radiography: a guide to inspection [72kb]PDF Free
OC 560/50 Occupational exposure to radon in workplace buildings [384kb]PDF Free
OC 560/51 The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999: Industrial radiography using pipeline crawling devices during the construction of oil and gas pipelines [42kb]PDF Free
OC 560/52 The Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2001 [213kb]PDF Free
OC 560/53 The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 [49kb]PDF Free
OCC 560/54 The Ionising Radiations Regs - Outside workers (including applications for exemption from issue and use of radiation passbooks) [72kb]PDF Free
OC 563/38 Andrex Smart 300 portable industrial x-ray generators [266kb]PDF Free
OC 563/41 The Ionising Radiation Regulations 1985: Critical examinations of installed articles [88kb]PDF Free
OC 563/43 Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985: Type approval of radiation generators and apparatus and smoke detectors and gas filled self-luminous devices [37kb]PDF Free
OC 564/6 (rev) Thoriated Tungsten Electrodes [87kb]PDF Free
       

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Laundries and allied trades

[570-576]

Class Definition Format Cost
OC 571/6 Drycleaning with hydrocarbon solvents [115kb]PDF Free
OC 571/8 (rev) Use of hydroflouric acid in spotting agents in the dry cleaning industry [94kb]PDF Free
       

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Metal manufacture, working, treatment and finishing

[600-671]

Class Definition Format Cost
OC 605/46 Cable making industry: H & S Manual & HSE video [13kb]PDF Free
OC 605/47 The wire rope industries: Joint Industrial Council [9kb]PDF Free
OC 605/48 (was 505/1) Storage racks for cable drums [11kb]PDF Free
OC 632/5 Exposure to hardmetals in metalworking fluids during machine operations [12kb]PDF Free
OC 632/6 Guide to health for manufacturers and users of hardmetal and hardmetal products [12kb]PDF Free
OC 633/10 Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) punching and nibbling machines [49kb]PDF Free
OC 634/7 Direct pressure blasting equipment [57kb]PDF Free
OC 634/8 Control of dust and noise exposure during direct pressure blasting [50kb]PDF Free
OC 635/8 Hot vapour cleaning - addition of fresh solvent [16kb]PDF Free
OC 635/9 Trichloroethylene release due to an air hoist failure above a degreasing tank [13kb]PDF Free
OC 641/5 Fatality caused by ejected flash during drop forging [14kb]PDF Free
OC 641/6 Safeguarding Hot Forging Presses [136kb]PDF Free
OC 642/10 Exposure of diamond polishers to Cobalt [13kb]PDF Free
OC 647/9 (rev) Vertical vacuum heat treatment furnaces in which inert atmospheres are employed [26kb]PDF Free
OC 647/10 Use of flammable liquids and solid carbon dioxide in heat treatment processes [14kb]PDF Free
OC 647/11 Gas fired special atmosphere furnaces: isolation and burner
supervision
[85kb]PDF Free
OC 650/2 Guarding of horizontal milling machines: Use of DC injection brakes [11kb]PDF Free
OC 652/1 Post weld cleaning using pickling pastes [129kb]PDF Free
OC 655/6 Safety in electropolishing HTML Free
OC 661/5 Safeguards at Bignozzi track presses [11kb]PDF Free
OC 662/3 Safeguarding of tools at high risk pneumatic presses working on metal [33kb]PDF Free
OC 663/28 The Power Presses Regulations 1965 and 1972 [44kb]PDF Free
OC 665/6 Non-destructive testing techniques: magnetic particle flaw detection safe use of solvent based coating paints [15kb]PDF Free
OC 668/17 Ozone and fume arising from welding on aluminium [20kb]PDF Free
OC 668/18 Inspection of suppliers of welding equipment and consumables [26kb]PDF Free
OC 668/18 supp 1 Inspection of Suppliers of Welding Equipment and Consumables: Compliance with HSW Act s.6: Provision of hazard information about welding consumables [49kb]PDF Free
OC 668/18 supp 2 Inspection of suppliers of welding equipment and consumables: compliance with HSW Act S.6: electric arc welding equipment [54kb]PDF Free
OC 668/19 Use of on-gun extraction to control welding fume [19kb]PDF Free
OC 668/21 Welding and other electric arcs - alleged hazards to wearers of contact lenses [12kb]PDF Free
OC 668/22 (2-part) Plasma cutting: control of fume, gases and noise [38kb]PDF Free
OC 668/23 (2-part) Safeguarding of resistance welding machines [46kb]PDF Free
OC 668/25 (2-part) Personal protective equipment for welding and allied processes: Practical guidance on assessment and selection [136kb]PDF Free
OC 668/26 (2-part) Positioning equipment for manual and automatic welding: specialised machinery such as column and boom, rotators, and positioners [156kb]PDF Free
OC 668/27 (2-part) The safe use of oxy-propane preheating torches [141kb]PDF Free
OC 668/29 Control of fume arising from electric arc welding [62kb]PDF Free
OC 668/30 Oxy-fuel gas cutting [51kb]PDF Free
OC 669/3 British Standards BS EN 287: 1992 - Approval testing of welders for fusion welding [11kb]PDF Free
OC 669/4 British Standards BS EN 288: 1992 - Specification and Approval of welding procedures for metallic materials Parts 1 to 4 [11kb]PDF Free
       

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Mine and quarry products (except metals)

[680-700]

Class Definition Format Cost
OC 687/5 Safety in the handling of flat glass [16kb]PDF Free
OC 687/7 The hazards associated with the silvering of mirrors, vacuum flasks etc. [39kb]PDF Free
OC 690/12 (rev) Safe operation of kilns in ceramic craft studios [22kb]PDF Free
OC 690/13 Safe operation of ball mills used in potteries and allied industries [187kb]PDF Free
OC 692/3 Planning applications at or near quarries [36kb]PDF Free
OC 693/6 The Quarries Regulations 1999 [82kb]PDF Free
OC 693/7 Cooperation between HSE and the coal authority HTML Free
OC 696/2 The use of small vehicles in quarries and open-cast coal quarries [11kb]PDF Free
OC/700/2 Exemptions Under Quarries Regualtions 1999 [15kb]PDF Free
       

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Paper and board

[701-702]

Class Definition Format Cost
OC 702/20 Safety specifications published by the British Fibreboard Packaging Association [15kb]PDF Free
       

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Shipbuilding

[730-731]

Class Definition Format Cost
OC 730/8 Work carried out by ships' crews in shipyards and dry docks [10kb]PDF Free
OC 730/9 Storage and use of oxygen and fuel gases on board ships under construction or repair [47kb]PDF Free
OC 730/11 Temporary electrical installations in shipbuilding and ship repairing [103kb]PDF Free
OC 730/12
(2 part)
Staging around ships and boats in build and repair yards [40kb]PDF Free
OC 730/13
(2 part)
Application of surface coatings to ships & tanks [41kb]PDF Free
OC 730/15 Marine anti-fouling coatings [84kb]PDF Free
OC 730/16 the Shipbuilding and Ship-repairing Health and Safety Consultative Committee and the Shipbuilders and Ship-repairers Association (SSA) health and safety guidance notes [15kb]PDF Free
OC 730/17 Health and safety during ships; mooring operations [68kb]PDF Free
       

 

Textile and allied industries

[742-772]

Class Definition Format Cost
OC 742/1 Sewing machines and electromagnetic fields [15kb]PDF Free
OC 742/2 Control of Cotton and Wool Process Dusts [84kb]PDF Free
OC 755/1 Textile humidification and air-conditioning systems [21kb]PDF Free
OC 764/3 Explosion risk at pressure vessels used for bleaching textile materials and hydrogen peroxide [24kb]PDF Free
OC 767/1 Safety at fibre rope, cordage and net making machinery [12kb]PDF Free
OC 770/7 Safeguarding metal spinning machines [116kb]PDF Free
       

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Transport and distribution

[780-794]

Class Definition Format Cost
OC 780/1 Memorandum of understanding between HSE and the Department of Transport (DOT) for enforcement etc. activities at the water margin and offshore [22kb]PDF Free
OC 783/3 Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations 1987 (DSHAR): Part 1X - Explosives [13kb]PDF Free
OC 786/5 Railway safety legislation [18kb]PDF Free
OC 789/4 'Road traffic type' issues: overlap with other enforcement agencies [21kb]PDF Free
OC 789/5 Risks to the public from un/loading vehicles on the highway [23kb]PDF Free
OC 790/12 Repairs to fork arms for fork-lift trucks [12kb]PDF Free
OC 790/16 Rider-operated lift trucks: operator training and approved code of practice [22kb]PDF Free
OC 793/2 Fitness to drive: Vocational drivers [25kb]PDF Free
OC 794/3 The Freight Containers (Safety Convention) Regulations 1984 [44kb]PDF Free
       

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Vehicles

[800-805]

Class Definition Format Cost
OC 801/2 Sport parachuting: Liaison between HSE inspectors and the civil aviation authority (CAA) [10kb]PDF Free
OC 801/2 supp 1 Sport parachuting - liaison between HSE inspectors and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA): MOD Parachuting [10kb]PDF Free
OC 803/55 Safe use of dumpers [11kb]PDF Free
OC 803/56 British Standard BS AU 161: Part 2: 1989 specification for mobile vehicle lifts [9kb]PDF Free
OC 803/58 Vehicle Finishing Units – Risks from Gross Leakage of Fuels [41kb]PDF Free
OC 803/62 Explosion hazard from heat applied to pneumatic tyres [11kb]PDF Free
OC 803/69 Application of PUWER & LOWER to MVR [78kb]PDF Free
OC 803/70 Closed circuit TV on road going vehicles [32kb]PDF Free
OC 803/71 Apllication of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulation (DSEAR) 2002 to motor vehicle repair and part 2 (id doc) [18kb] PDF Free

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Miscellaneous: not elsewhere specified

[811-847]

Class Definition Format Cost
OC 655/7 COMAH application at surface treatment sites HTML Free
OC 811/30 Safeguarding Multi-Blade Roof Truss Saws [274kb]PDF Free
OC 846/8 Environmental Protection Act 1990: Licensing of waste disposal sites [32kb]PDF Free
OC 847/4 Water boreholes: Potential hazard from methane evolution [2.7mb]PDF Free
OC 847/9 Sewage sludge drying plant [78kb]PDF Free
OC 847/10 Reservoirs and HSW Act: inspection policy [28kb]PDF Free